“Oi, you! You’re the worst guru ever!” I say, laughing at his mock-serious face. “I choose to accept the nice things you said about me and ignore the rest. Anyway, you’re not one to talk – you almost messed things up with Cally because you were so thick about what you really needed!”
“I did, you’re right – and you’re one of the people who made me realise that and sort it out. So, stop being so hard on yourself, and stop worrying – one face from the past isn’t going to bring everything you’ve built here crashing down on you. It’s too solid for that.”
He wraps me up in his arms and gives me a big bear hug, and I nod into his flannel shirt. He’s right, I think – I’m definitelybeing over-sensitive. It’s been such a transitional time, both with my own body and the kids starting out on their own journeys, that I suspect I’m feeling less stable than usual. That doesn’t mean impending doom – it just means change.
“Thank you,” I say simply. “You’re right, and I needed that.”
“It’s okay, you can repay me in scones.”
“Sorry, Cally’s banned me from giving you guys scones. She’s on a diet again.”
“Don’t worry, it won’t last!”
We gather up the basket, and I breathe in the fresh woodland air. I feel better for our chat, refreshed and ready to take on the world. Or at least my part of it.
We’re on a slight hill, looking down at the path that leads from a quiet road to the village. As we make our way towards it, Archie puts a gentle hand on my arm and draws to a halt.
“There’s someone on the path,” he says, peering through the trees.
For any normal path, of course, that wouldn’t be anything unusual – but this one is usually quiet and secluded. The road on the other side ends at the cliffs and is literally the road to nowhere. It is rarely used, even by hikers doing the nearby coastal route towards Lyme Regis.
We pause, and I find an opening in the branches to look through. Sure enough, a solitary figure is ambling along, a slightly confused look on his face. He pauses frequently, taking pictures and maybe video on his phone. A fat black Lab is bumbling along behind him, sniffing and peeing in time-honoured canine tradition.
“Is that him?” Archie whispers. “Is that Zack?”
“Yep,” I reply quietly, watching as he crouches down to look at a patch of wildflowers. “That’s him.”
Archie grins, and answers: “You didn’t tell me he was a silver fox, Connie. Now I’ve seen him, I’ve got my suspicions aboutwhy you feel so stressed about him being here. You bloody well fancy him! Was he an ex? Was there more to your relationship than the professional?”
“No! No, there wasn’t – and no, I do not fancy him!” I bleat, sounding unconvincing even to my own ears. “And anyway, he only goes out with supermodels and influencers. I’m more of a binfluencer – everyone looks to me when it’s bin day and they’re not sure which one needs to go out…”
“Binfluencers are important – I never remember when it’s recycling day. Anyway, come on – I’m starting to feel creepy lurking up here looking at him.”
He bounds down the hillside, his long legs confident, and I follow at a more sedate pace. I don’t especially want to greet Zack by sliding down a hill and landing at his feet on my backside.
“Ahoy there!” booms Archie, giving Zack a bit of a shock. He recovers quickly, and his face breaks into a smile as he sees the two of us approaching. God, he looks so good standing there, the sun dappling through the trees onto his hair. It’s like Mother Nature staged him just to make my tummy fizz.
“Ah,” Zack says, “I am in the right place after all. I got lost – did you know this place isn’t even on the map?”
“Yes,” I reply. “It’s actually an imaginary village, populated entirely by imaginary friends.”
He quirks an eyebrow, considers this, and says: “I wouldn’t be surprised. What’s with all the fairies and dinosaurs?”
“What fairies and dinosaurs?”
“Ha! Nice try, but I have them on video.”
“They’re my work,” says Archie, offering his hand to shake and introducing himself. “My little girls love them – you’ll see the fairies all over the village.”
Zack’s face breaks out into a warm smile, and he answers: “They’re cute. I look forward to meeting more of them. So, I’veleft my car parked up on the side of the road back there – is that right? I mean, there was no other traffic, but I was told there was a car park at the inn.”
Archie takes the basket of wild garlic from me and says: “I’m heading home. Connie will go back to your car with you and take you round. Welcome to Starshine, Zack!”
I try not to scowl at Archie’s retreating bulk and concentrate instead on stroking Bear’s velvety ears.
“Come on then,” I say. “Let’s get you sorted. This fella looks like he needs a bowl of water and a lie-down.”
“The same could be said of me. It’s really warm for March.”
